As I am putting together my course I am trying to emulate my coaching as much as I can. One thing that is difficult to emulate is asking the right questions at the right times. Those who I've coached know that they talk a lot more than I do in our sessions. I tend to ask a lot of questions and listen to their answers to determine what questions get them thinking in the right direction.
Back when I used to write code for a living, we would review each other's code to find mistakes. This would often involve someone coming by our desk (this is in the old days) and we would explain what the code would do and how we were expecting it to behave. Sometimes the person reviewing the code would not say a word and just the act of describing what the code does would cause the developer to see the holes in their logic. Sometimes, having an outside perspective can show you your blind spots.
Socrates developed a method of asking questions to help people see their blind spots, called the Socratic Method. He would ask a series of questions to understand what people were thinking and determine where their blind spots are. He would then ask questions around those blind spots to help bring them into view. He would not actually point out their blind spots. Instead, through questions, he would help them realize their blind spots and have a clearer picture to be able to make better decisions.
Now I don't claim to be a perfect implementer of the Socratic Method, but I do try to ask more questions than spout out any wisdom I think I have (sometimes I can't help myself, but I try). I have actually learned quite a lot from asking questions. I am constantly amazed at the hidden genius that every one of my clients has. I learn so much from listening to their answers.
The challenge I face is how do I replicate that in a course. I have to develop open-ended questions that cause those taking the course to recognize their blind spots. Luckily the amazing clients I've been coaching have given me a little experience in the kinds of questions that help them see their blind spots. Over the last few years I've found that certain questions at certain parts of the process tend to help people see some common blind spots.
This is also why have a good coach or mentor, someone who is not in the situation, to help you see the forest for the trees. Sometimes when you're in the picture, you can't see the whole picture. Having someone who has been where you are and is now looking back with 20/20 vision on your situation can really help you see things from a better perspective and see your blind spots.
So who do you get perspective from in your life? Who helps you see your blind spots?
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